I was shocked like anyone else about Sarah Palin. In fact, I said a couple of weeks back if McCain wanted a game changer it would be a woman, but not Sarah Palin.

When I first heard her initial speech, I could only think of Minnesota. I lived there for 5 years and her verbiage just threw me back. Nothing wrong with it, she is a small town girl, with a great personal story. A mother of five, her last child born prematurely in April with down's syndrome. Palin knew of this early during her pregnancy and decided with her husband to keep her child. I totally, applaud her. But, why did McCain choose Palin?

McCain only met her once. McCain does not know her. She has a great personal story but she is drastically underqualified for the job of Vice-President of the United States. And as a woman, for her to even invoke Hillary Clinton's name, as somewhat of a personal hero, is insulting. We know she does not think much of Clinton, calling her a whiner. Though I did not support Clinton through the primaries, Hillary Clinton is heads and tails over Sarah Palin in experience and valuing women's issues, period.

So, again why Palin?

Well, I was talking to a friend of mine last night and her observation was quite clear, "it is because McCain has no ground game and need to shore up the Christian base." After speaking with her, it is clear, this was strictly a political decision. Let's be honest, does anyone on here think that Palin's views matches McCain's? No, it does not. McCain wanted Ridge or Lieberman on his ticket, but was struck down the by far right wing of the Republican Party. That's what happened.

Joe Scarborough of morning joe stated early in the week that he constantly speak to GOP chairs throughout this country in various states about what is going on in their states and he was quite to the point which explains this choice. Basically, many of these state chairs are grateful for the attack ads of McCain but drastically in fear of Obama's ground game. Why? Because these state's ground game is non-existent, there is no excitement for John McCain at all.

George W. Bush beat John Kerry on the ground. I remember back in 2004 that many democrats and strategists were CONCERNED about the ground game for Kerry, and the enthusiasm that just was not quite there for him in 2004. This is how Bush won Ohio. Yes, there were irregularities and that is for another diary, but the total overall premise was the ground game factor.

We all have witnessed the build of Barack Obama's ground game. It beat everyone, overall during the primaries. Many states have lauded the claim that "finally someone got it", as in getting folks involved and registering people to vote at an alarming race.

Palin was picked to bring enthusiasm, excitement and get the Christian Coalition of the far right wing of the Republican Party out to GOTV and bring folks to the polls. That is her mission.

We won't see Palin alone on the stump that is not her role. She is a sock puppet for McCain's Campaign and will reinforce the theme of why folks should vote McCain.

Yes, many thought that she was to antagonize Hillary voters, Democratic voters and yes, she will, but many independent and democratic minded women voters will reject Palin just on her views.

She was a staunch Pat Buchanan supporter, which will have some repercussion and problems with Jews in Florida; believes in creationism; member of Feminists for Life, a group who does not believe in any abortion even if a woman has been assaulted by incest or rape. All of these views are lock step with the far right of the Republican Party.

That is why she was picked.

Lastly, we should be deeply concerned about this pick. Why? John McCain's health and age is put back on the table for conversation and topic because of this pick. Sarah Palin knows nothing about the situation in Iraq, has never been there or Afghanistan. Her foreign policy credentials are non-existent because she has none. Her executive experience is less than two years, being governor of Alaska, and before that was a mayor of a town with about 8000. Much more of this is examined, here.

The bottom line is this. McCain is 72 years old. Not in good health with 2-4 bouts of cancer, and take your pick on the number, but picks a totally unqualified individual to "possibly" be the next Commander-in-Chief if something happens to him?

Folks, this alone are dangerous territory. One thing, I, as a citizen of the United States of America do not want is an individual who is totally clueless of the realm of this country and the world, to possibly be the next Commander-in-Chief.

So while the GOP are running around trying to defend this pick, down play her lack of experience factor, they will attempt to throw up a glossy introduction of her to everyone next week, and make us feel at ease with Sarah Palin, Vice-President of the United States of America.

He also stressed that he'd chosen Biden because "he can step in and become president," even as McCain aides suggest that Palin will learn at McCain's knee, as long as she isn't called to serve too soon.

If you have not awakened, yet, now is the time to get up and do everything in your power and measure to make sure this pick does not have the offices of Dick Cheney.

Friday, August 29, 2008

In a high-risk gambit with the potential for an equally high payoff, McCain is targeting a weakness in Obama's base and exploiting it.

But more broadly -- and perhaps more potently -- Palin helps McCain connect with working-class and rural voters.

Republicans greeted the selection with glee, anticipating the contrasts between a gun-toting self-described "hockey mom" and an effete, Harvard-educated ticket-topper on the Democratic side.

She's "exactly who I need," McCain of his selection. "She's exactly who this country needs to help us fight the same old Washington politics of me first and country second."

Choosing Mitt Romney -- whose personal wealth exceeds even the McCain family's -- would have done little to answer Obama's charge that McCain is out of touch. continue

My take. A risky move. She is a woman who is not pro-choice and so far to the right that even in incest or rape, against abortion. But, for McCain she can talk to the base and shore them up. Will Hillary voters go to Palin? Not if they care about the issues, they won't. Hillary and Bill Clinton already decimated any reason for voting McCain. If these voters go to McCain, again it is personal and not about the issues.

No one can agree that Sarah Palin is experienced enough to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. John McCain is 72 years old and have had two bouts with cancer, there is no one in this country that does not question his health. Palin is a former mayor of a city with less than 7000 people, worked in city council and less than 2 years of experience as governor does not equate being the next President of the United States.

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obama at pennsylvania bio diesel plant in monaca, pa

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Obama's Speech Lures Some Fence-Sitters as Others Await McCain

Barack Obama's speech last night left Janell Mader, a 32-year-old lifelong Republican, ``a little overwhelmed'' -- and likely to vote for him in November.

``All of the concerns or questions that I had have been answered,'' Mader, a homemaker from York, Pennsylvania, said of Illinois Senator Obama, 47, the Democratic presidential candidate. ``John McCain's going to have to do something pretty incredible next week for me to be convinced that the Republican Party deserves another four years.''

Mader was one of a dozen undecided voters from across the U.S. who discussed their impressions both before and immediately after Obama accepted his party's nomination at Invesco Field in Denver on the closing night of the Democratic National Convention. continue

John McCain and the Republican National Committee are significantly expanding the map of their ad spending, and have now reserved ad time in North Carolina and statewide in Virginia, as well as in new markets in many other states, according to a Democratic operative familiar with national ad buying.

The expansion is significant, because it suggests that the McCain team is less confident in its chances in Virginia and North Carolina than it once was. Obama is advertising statewide in both places. More broadly, the expanded buy suggests that the McCain team is being forced by Obama's wider advertising map to play on a broader playing field than it had hoped to.

Here, according to the Dem operative, is a list of the new states (with markets in parentheses) that McCain and/or the RNC have reserved air time in for the week beginning on September 1:

I lived in Minnesota for 5 years and I just can't help but be drawn back to "Fargo". If anyone saw this hilarious Coen Brothers movie, you will know what I am talking about. I literally had to do a double take and google to find out if she ever LIVED in Minnesota. As for the speech, "meh", not a national level intro, to say, but the McCain did its job to put the spotlight on their campaign. Next is the vetting of Palin and we know what that is about. Lastly, for Palin who was a mayor of a city of 6500 and then governor for less than two years, removes the experience meme. McCain is going for a "change ticket". Good luck with that one. When you look at a 72 year old man, who has been on the government dole for over 30 years, where is the change? Yes, Palin is a woman and a very inexperienced one on the national and international scene, so what is her role? To attempt to siphon Hillary voters, but the thing is Hillary supporters care about the ISSUES not ideology. Just because Palin wears a skirt like me, does not mean she is qualified for this position, which is a HEART BEAT AWAY from the presidency.

I was moved to tears last night by Barack's speech. It was a STELLAR, FORCEFUL, STRONG, RED MEAT speech. Whoever has questions about Barack Obama, it was all answered last night.

He gave the best convention speech, EVAH. Period. Snaps. Whoot. All that.

But for this moment and for this purpose, I saw Obama's speech tonight as a political masterpiece. As I had a chance to say on CNN a few moments ago, it was in many ways less a speech than a symphony. I also sensed that we saw tonight an Obama who is growing into a new, more mature leader — stronger, tougher, harder-hitting than he had appeared only a few weeks ago. continue

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Who will be McCain's VP?

Well, MSNBC confirming Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) is off the table, since he said he got the "you not the VP" call. Also, our favorite Mittens (aka, former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) is off the table, too. So, who is it?

Well, now speculation is that it may be former Governor and Homeland Security Secretary, Tom Ridge (R-PA), little known Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) who has been confirmed out, still in Alaska. Well UPDATE, CNBC confirming it IS Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) in office less than two years. Seems McCain is obsessed with Hillary voters and attempting to go after this group. Good luck with that one, the very few left are "for Hillary only." Also, this pick blunts Biden. How? Can you imagine Biden going after Palin in a debate? I say, go after her on policy, politics are not for the faint of heart. And are you ready to laugh, Senator Joe Lieberman (I/D-CT), also in the mix.

Whomever it is, so what. After Obama's speech last night, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are ready for the fight to the finish line. If you think this will be a "cakewalk", think again. Pull out your steel coat, roll up your sleeves and let's fight this to end for victory.

WORD.

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A Soaring Speech? You Gotta Let It Sink In

If only they had the capacity for humility, political pundits on TV would pay close heed to a single 24-hour period in late July of 2004. The Democratic presidential candidate accepted the nomination by coming out to the crowd and saluting as he said, "I'm John Kerry, and I'm reporting for duty."

It's now seen as one of the most painful moments of the last campaign. But many of the instant assessments by media pundits were buoyant.

Cue up the proverbial Boys on the Bus:

"I think he won the night from the very first moment," gushed Howard Fineman of Newsweek and MSNBC that night.

"As a performance, it's top-notch stuff," wrote Jonathan V. Last of the conservative Weekly Standard.

"If you're a Republican operative, a close adviser to President Bush, you're hoping that last night John Kerry lays an egg," said ABC News' Charles Gibson the next morning. "Boy, he did not." continue

Is Mittens the VP Pick for McCain? What no frenzy? No, "I got to know".

Well from OUR EXPERIENCE, the Secret Service is always the "tip".

If security sweeps are the giveaway, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may be on the brink of being selected as Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) vice presidential running mate.

According to sources with strong Michigan ties, the Secret Service has conducted a security sweep of the home of Romney’s sister. Romney was raised in Michigan, where his father served as governor. continue

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Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech

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pictures, videos of barack and speakers will be up throughout the evening

He brought all the charm, charisma, seriousness and words rolled up into one for a hit.

I don't know what to say to PUMAs or Anti-Obama Groups at this point. All their argument points have been demolished, thanks to Hillary and Bill Clinton. If they do not want to vote Democratic or Obama, then it is strictly PERSONAL not POLICY WISE when the Clintons are on the same side as OBAMA.

So, for those who are clueless, bitter then just remember the supreme court, woman's right to choose, equal pay, Iraq, budget deficit, mortgage crisis, lack of wages, lack of jobs, China, incompetence of the GOP and Bush Administration, and the list is endless. If you want more of this, plus Blackwater, Halliburton, cronyism, etc. that we got the last 8 years, good luck. Just don't whine, cry, wonder why or the what happened to you if John McCain is elected.

To think or believe that McCain will fix or end all the above? Think again, he won't. His record speaks for itself.

The GOP must be livid, holding their breath or in mourning. Let's go an inch further, the GOP are holding their convention after the one year anniversary of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Do you think they want to talk about that again?

Both incidents are reminders of lack or cut of money from the Bush Administration for INFRASTRUCTURE.

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